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What I found truly exceptional is Follows’ concise yet comprehensive writing style, which avoids unnecessary repetitions while providing insightful analysis. She guides readers through complex topics, turning them into easily read insights, ensuring the book remains both informative and engaging.
Furthermore, I really appreciated the global perspective – a holistic view of the challenges and opportunities we face, regardless of the different geographical and cultural dimensions.
Each chapter, smartly named after its content and always with ‘you’ in the centre, feels like a segment on a stage, where great minds, researchers, creators, scientists, and entrepreneurs come together and engage in a dynamic discussion, weighing the pros and cons of each topic, which Follows moderates with wit, as she presents her perspective and opinion.
This approach invites readers into a stimulating conversation with experts from various fields. Follows’ ability to simplify these complex themes makes the book inclusive and accessible to readers from diverse backgrounds.
I loved Chapter 3, “Creating You!” It offers an arousing discourse on the possibilities of technology shaping our multiple identities. It’s here she brilliantly unpacks the seemingly simple yet profoundly challenging concept of a selfie: “The self has given way to the selfie. Today, selfies have become the ultimate expression of how we choose to present ourselves – offering a unique mix of subjectivity, autobiography and self-portraiture… Selfies aren’t simply images of ourselves for others to look at; they are representations of how we see — or want to see — ourselves” .
Reading the above, I couldn’t help connecting historical dots. I thought of great minds like Da Vinci (futurist should be added to his name, too), who subtly inserted their images into their masterpieces, or authors who weave themselves into their fictional characters. It’s a constant human desire to imprint, to assert, and to mould our identities onto the world.
In today’s world, the act of creating oneself has become easier. Each one of us has turned into a creator, artist, writer, scientist, and technician of our own identities— with multiple versions. We craft ‘us’ and narrate our stories—a truly incredible aspect of the digital age. It’s a testament to human creativity and adaptability.
Was it scary? The good news is that I didn’t feel scared, maybe a little creeped out by the chapter of ‘Destroying You’ but I work in tech, so chances of getting shocked are slim 🙂 I think it was more of a challenge than a shock or scare. I had many ‘moments’ with the book, and here I will share my three takeaways:
- It is a global issue: We should have a global perspective on identity management. It is not just about one geographical location, tradition, or culture. It is about all of us. Individually and collectively.
- Challenge yourself with thought-provoking questions: The book inspired me to question more. I felt in awe and pondered on the impact of these technologies in my life, both as an individual, as a marketer and as a member of this rapidly changing society.
- We are (also) responsible! We play a role in shaping these technologies. We have an ethical responsibility. I think it is easy to point fingers and blame tech, but we are equally responsible, especially when we “mindlessly click ‘agree’”. Personal responsibility and societal consequences intertwine.
While “The Future of You” offers valuable insights, it only provides a glimpse into how these emerging technologies and experiments are reshaping our future, leaving readers wanting more exploration. It is a great starting point for anyone eager to explore the future’s intricacies. I highly recommend the book, a quick read into understanding yourself, the future and yourself in that future.
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